THE eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has sent plumes of ash 30,000 feet into the sky as photos capture the moment lava splurges out of the volcano forcing thousands to flee for their lives.

The latest eruption has forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

The United States Geographical Survery has ordered locals to evacuate the area and go to safety.

The volcano has been likely to erupt ever since an earthquake shattered the crater floor two weeks ago.

During a flight earlier by the Civil Air Patrol, the height of the ash plumes near the crater rose to more than 3 km above sea level, and downwind the plumes continued to rise to about 3.5 km above sea level.

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Lava is photographed spilling out of the volcano

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said: "This is a Civil Defense Message for May 17 at 5am.

"Hawaii Volcano Observatory reports that an Explosive Eruption at Kilauea's summit has occurred.